Family of Deerfield beating victim gets help from the Gatorboys

Alligator wrestlers raise $5,200 to help Josie Lou Ratley

FORT LAUDERDALE — Hilda Gotay clutched the green and brown scrapbook, then looked up at its creator, one of four members of a group dubbed the Gatorboys.

"I know Josie will appreciate it when she wakes up," she told the four.

The scrapbook was compiled to commemorate the Gatorboys' April 10 fundraiser for Gotay's 15-year-old daughter, Josie Lou Ratley. Ratley has been in critical condition for almost a month since she was brutally beaten at Deerfield Beach Middle School by another teenager who was upset about a comment in a text message.

Since then, dozens of fundraisers and individual donations have poured in to help pay for Ratley's recovery expenses. So far, more than $41,000 has been raised, according to the family's attorney, Rick Freedman.

On Thursday, Gotay received a check from the Gatorboys, an alligator-wrestling group. They also arranged one of the most successful Ratley fundraisers so far.

A mix of alligators, concessions, entertainment and a 7-foot grizzly named Tonk, the event was held at West Broward Community Church in Southwest Ranches and raised more than $5,200.

"It broke our hearts," Gatorboy Jimmy Riffle, 24, said of Ratley. "This is the time for people to come together and make a difference."

Riffle and his mother, Kim, also made a scrapbook filled with pictures from the event. In the back was a DVD sleeve. Riffle said it was for a DVD recording of the fundraiser he hoped to finish editing soon and give to Gotay.